Making Room

The Making Room team sits down for a powerful conversation with their first ever guest Efuru Cole-Brewer. Efuru was a graduating high school senior at the time and is now a freshman at North Carolina A&T. This time Efuru takes over the interviewer seat as the guest host and asks Jon, Shivani and Brandon to reflect on their first six months from the podcast. They discuss what they are proud of, what has been hard/challenging and some of their favorite moments. This is a very moving, emotional and inspiring conversation that truly honors everything our podcast is about.

Jon and Shivani sit down for part 2 of the conversation with Beate Perrey. They dive deeper into the neuroscience of how music truly settles the mind and allows us to see more beauty. They discuss the concept of the "lizard brain" and why our society can have us running all over the place looking for 'more.' Enjoy this powerful experience where Beate performs an extraordinary piece on the classcial piano called "Lovers and Friends" and feel the joy that ensues from her gifts!

Jon and Shivani sit down with renowned classical pianist and mindfulness expert Beate Perrey for an interview and online performance. They discuss the impacts of music in their own lives, how it can settle the mind and ways it brings greater understanding and kindness into our world. Enjoy the beautiful experience of hearing Beate playing live from her home in Paris, France.

Jon, Shivani and Brandon debrief their conversation Khaleel Loyd, who is the founder and CEO of Loyd Visuals. They talk about what it means to really create meaningful two-way relationships that truly see the human first. They discuss the importance of knowing that someone is always watching your actions and we all have a chance to be catalysts for inspiration and change.

The Making Room co-hosts sit down with a close friend, Khaleel Loyd, who is the founder and CEO of Loyd Visuals. He shares his inspiring story of making the shift from a corporate career to building a highly successful visual storytelling company. Learn more about how he defines success, overcomes challenges and what it is like creating a company grounded in love of family, unconfined creativity and a belief in Ubuntu or our common humanity.

Jon, Shivani and Brandon spend time sharing more about their inspiring conversation with Sherri Chisholm from Leading on Opportunity and Brian Collier from Foundation For The Carolinas. They talk about how important it is for us to realize that we all are a product of the people who invested in us as leaders. If a virus like COVID can spread to people one by one, why can't love, creating connections and a spirit of abundance become a pandemic too? What would that take from each of us?

The Making Room co-hosts sit down with Sherri Chisholm from Leading on Opportunity and Brian Collier from Foundation For The Carolinas. Brian and Sherri are experts on the work around what creates upward economic mobility. The conversation centers around how social capital (in particular the kind that builds networks and opportunities across different backgrounds) is essential for the change we want in our community. Learn more about how you can make room for more intentional relationships through this inspirational work.

Jon shares the incredible story of the Dawn Wall climb. This was a huge inspiration to the Making Room platform. It is about a specific moment where two climbers, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson decide to do something that was way more than scaling a rock wall. We believe this story truly honors the idea of being a catalyst and believing in someone's greatest potential.

Jon, Shivani and Brandon sit down with fitness professional, entrepreneur and community leader Jamie Horn to talk about how she inspires people to be active by helping them discover their own potential. You will learn more about her passion for supporting so many levels of fitness including how she discovered a greater purpose for making room for people with adaptive needs. This one will have you ready to move and go after that idea you have been thinking about!

The Making Room co-hosts debrief their conversation with Nate Salley and the importance of allowing growth opportunities in our lives. They discuss the difference between being open to feedback versus when it becomes counterproductive is 'forcing it' or overly attached to 'self-improvement.' While it felt like Jon needed a nap in this one they also dive into how sleep is a driving force in great decision-making. They also touch on the neuroscience of naps and how they can be used to make our days more fulfilling and keep us at our best.

The Making Room co-hosts sit down with former collegiate football and NFL standout, Nate Salley, to discuss their own leadership challenges and growth opportunities. Nate engages the team in a live coaching session that turned into a powerful learning moment for Jon, Brandon and Shivani. The conversation is real, authentic and like our co-hosts will leave you thinking about how you can stay more focused and aligned with your gifts and values. The team dives deeper into barriers to saying no, what it means to stay in rhythm and the importance of pacing key ideas.

You have probably heard our phenomenally catchy and amazing theme song for the Making Room Podcast by now titled "Welcome"! This is a special bonus episode of highlights and inspiring footage about how our two musicians, Brit Drozda and LP7 first came together. What you may not know is that this is a shining example and product of our movement: to make room, share our platform and be catalysts for creativity! Their partnership continues to grow and we discuss how this could serve as a model for how we work together across communities.

The Making Room co-hosts share the impact of their conversation with Brian Baltosiewich and what they had to overcome to come together as co-hosts. They discuss their own process of finding the courage to face their fears and moments when it was very hard to say yes to this project. They also dive into the topic of attention, flow, leadership shadows and deep work that seem to be other keys to unlocking our greatest strengths.

The Making Room co-hosts sit down with one of their most trusted contributors to the project, Brian Baltosiewich. Brian is the co-producer and editor for the Making Room podcast. He is typically a fixture behind the scenes, but the team learned just how accomplished Brian has been both personally and professionally. We get to know Brian's story through his experiences as a youth and young adult managing a speech impediment all while forging forward in a path to share that very voice. While the road took many turns, the path was clear that he would impact media by creating a platform for so many to also find their voice.

In this episode two of our co-hosts, Jon and Brandon, take us back to where it all started. From a chance engagement with a local men's group, the two tell the riveting story of how they became friends and found purpose in transforming the power of their similarities and differences to influence both culture and community. This is the blueprint of our movement.

Shivani, Jon and Brandon share the many ways music has impacted their lives and how it is a true vehicle for change, healing and of course having fun. They discuss different types of music and how it has been a part of their own creative development. You won't want to miss part of the conversation that shares all the lyrics and inspiration from the song "Welcome" that was commissioned specifically for this podcast! There are some moments we will never forget.

Brandon and Jon come together to discuss the idea of their own insights in building this podcast and brand. They share how they keep coming back to the concept of "settling into the process" and how that produces amazing results...and of course more fun. The discussion also moves into their biggest learning insights and what changes they have personally made over the last year.

The Making Room co-hosts examine both the challenges and possibilities that come from making big changes or shifts as leaders. They discuss the concept of surrender and how this can truly catalyze meaningful change. For those considering a leap of faith, this conversation may strike close to home and inspire you to go after something you feel called to do...especially if you have no idea how it will turn out!

We all have plans for our life's journey, but sometimes things don't go according to plan. We have to pivot and call an audible in the moment to get through the next big play. The Making Room co-hosts sit down with former collegiate football and NFL standout, Nate Salley, to hear more about his path to becoming The Audible Coach.

The Making Room co-hosts expand their conversation to the kitchen with community leader and advocate, Daniel Valdez from the Hispanic Federation and Charlotte Pride.  Daniel teaches the group how to make corn tortillas from scratch while discussing what makes people feel welcome and a sense of belonging.  There is even an appearance from a surprise special guest that you won't want to miss!

We are introducing the world to two of the early catalysts of our movement. LP7 and Brit Drozda are musical geniuses in their own right, but their collaboration for our theme song is other-worldly. Meet the musical minds behind this beautiful synergy and hear more about their story and ours.

Making Room co-hosts share the impact of the project thus far. They've stretched, they've grown, they continue to unpack key components to unlocking their own potential as community leaders. It's a candid conversation about the makings of this movement you just can't miss.

Jon, Shivani and Brandon re-shape their own definitions of creativity and how leaders can apply this idea more broadly both personally and professionally.  They discuss their own challenges, struggles and roadblocks when tapping into their artistic sides and why creativity is so important for relationships, healing and innovative solutions for the future.  This episode will leave you inspired with fresh ideas and new practices to make room for the artist in you.

Artist and creative extraordinaire Makayla Binter joins us for a conversation about how creativity makes both communities and people feel seen. Makayla uses murals, dialogue, painted shoes, photography and many other mediums as a tool for communities to heal and connect on tough issues. This discussion promises to connect you to your own creative potential and how important it is to cultivate the artist in each of us. Makayla takes us on a journey you will not want to miss!

Many times our greatest opportunities for change might come from unexpected and unheard voices.   Jon, Shivani and Brandon delve into the idea of a catalyst and realize how speechless and blown away they were from the interview with Efuru Cole-Brewer.   They tease out key points of what it means to be a catalyst and what it looks like when you step back so others can step forward.  They also explore the phenomenon of the inspiration and growth leaders gain when they create space for people around them to thrive. 

Efuru Cole-Brewer is a dynamic young woman at the tender age of 17 with the world at her fingertips. Efuru joins the Making Room Crew to talk about what it means to both be and inspire a catalyst. Her wisdom will shock you and her aspiration will endear her to you, leaving an indelible impact. This one was special!   Contact her through her website and learn more about her speaking and consulting services or donate to her GoFundMe college campaign.

This is your first introduction the people behind the mic on the Making Room Podcast. You'll get to know this trio better as well as get a feel for their collaboration to make this happen. You'll also hear more about what we want to accomplish with the Making Room Movement and how we'll get there!

Making Room is a podcast inspiring people to accelerate change by being a catalyst, honoring creativity, and acting with courage. We are making room for the greatest potential of our community.